Watershed Reserve

The main parking area is located at the Johnson Environmental Center, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534. GPS coordinates: 40.35387,-74.771848.

A beautiful nature preserve with several short hikes through protected habitats.

Use the Web Map link on this site to view a trail map and synopsis of four marked trails. The Watershed Trail (blue, 6 miles linear round trip) traverses the length of the park, roughly from south to north -- from Stony Brook to W. Broad Street.  

Pathways have a dirt surface with some wooden bridges over boggy areas. Trailheads for all are from the main parking area off Titus Mill Road.  There are no fees to hike in the Reserve.

Hunting is generally not allowed in the Reserve, except that bow hunting is allowed with a special permit.  In addition, the Reserve is closed to hikers on six specific days each year when shotgun hunting is allowed in nearby parks. Signs are posted at trailheads warning hikers to stay off the trails on these days.

The goal of the Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association, founded 60 years ago, is to improve the health and quality of central New Jersey’s water and sustain a network of protected habitats for wildlife and people. Maintaining the Watershed Reserve is a major component of this environmental protection effort. Hikers can explore wetlands, forests, meadows, streams and the four-acre Wargo Pond, which nourish the diverse community of animals and plants. Some of the oldest trees in central New Jersey are found here, as well as fox, coyote, weasel and flying squirrel.